Researchers: Stem Cells Have Role In Suppressing HIV
(Berlin) -- Researchers say there's evidence stem cells play a role in suppressing the virus that causes AIDS. The team from a Berlin clinic cited the case of an American patient infected with HIV who received a bone marrow transplant using stems cells from a donor with a known genetic resistance to AIDS. The scientists claim the patient has been free of infection for almost two years after receiving the transplant. However, the researchers stressed the process would never become a standard treatment for HIV, as bone marrow stem cell transplants are dangerous. Researcher Gero Hutter said, quote, "The virus is tricky. It can always return." As of today, there is still no known cure for the virus that causes AIDS. |